Girls Who Soar – Drones, Dreams, and the Future of STEM
Girls Who Soar: RocketDNA Empowers Future STEM Leaders This Women’s Month
In celebration of Women’s Month, RocketDNA hosted a Drone Training Workshop with young women from Langlaagte Technical High School. The event, led by RocketDNA’s women team members, forms part of a three-part youth series in August, designed to empower and inspire the next generation to explore careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The workshop was more than just an introduction to drones—it was a chance to show learners the limitless possibilities of global careers in technology. RocketDNA, a leading drone and automation company working across Africa in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, and environmental monitoring, is passionate about not only providing advanced drone operations but also about building future skills in aviation and technology.
Why Girls and Drones?
Many young people are unaware that drones are a key part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Careers in piloting, data analysis, or engineering drones are growing rapidly and offer global opportunities. Yet, women remain underrepresented in these fields. Women’s Month provided the perfect platform to invite young girls into a space where they could see themselves as future drone pilots, engineers, innovators, and leaders in tech.
Encouraging young women into STEM is about more than balance—it’s about unlocking creativity, problem-solving, and leadership from voices often left out of the conversation. By giving them hands-on exposure, RocketDNA hopes to spark curiosity, confidence, and ambition that can carry these learners into industries of the future.
Inside the Workshop
The workshop was designed to be interactive, exciting, and practical. Learners were introduced to:
- The different industries where drones make an impact—from mining and agriculture to search and rescue.
- The basics of flight and safety principles.
- A live demonstration and hands-on practice with RocketDNA’s latest innovation, the xBot Drone-in-a-Box system.
For most of the girls, it was their first time holding a drone controller. Watching the xBot respond to their commands brought a sense of excitement and possibility—proof that careers in technology are not out of reach, but well within their grasp.
In Partnership with SABC
This initiative was proudly hosted in partnership with the SABC, who captured the event for their news coverage. To amplify the voices of these young future leaders, the learners—along with Andrea Chetty, RocketDNA’s Senior Pilot—were invited to a live TV interview at the SABC studios on Sunday, 17 August 2025.
This interview gave the girls a national platform to share their excitement about the world of drones, while Andrea highlighted the importance of women leading in the aviation and technology sectors. You can watch the interview here: SABC News Interview.
Celebrating Potential
Women’s Month is about honoring the contributions of women who paved the way, while opening doors for future generations. For RocketDNA, these workshops are a celebration of potential. Each moment spent showing young women that they, too, belong in technology is an investment in a more diverse, innovative, and inclusive future.
The learners walked away not only with new knowledge but also with a sense of inspiration and excitement about drone technology. The smiles, questions, and enthusiasm at the workshop made it clear—this was the beginning of new possibilities.
“Exposure is the first step to opportunity. By giving these young girls access to drone technology, we are saying: you belong here, you can fly higher, and you can shape the future of tech. This Women’s Month, our goal was simple—to inspire the next generation of leaders in aviation, robotics, and innovation.” – Unathi Mhlope, Head of Marketing, RocketDNA Africa
Looking Ahead
The Langlaagte Technical High School workshop is just the beginning. With two more youth events planned this August, RocketDNA is committed to reaching more learners and broadening awareness about the exciting career paths in drones and STEM.
By turning inspiration into action, RocketDNA hopes to ensure that the leaders, pilots, and innovators of tomorrow are more diverse, more empowered, and more ready than ever to soar.
